Folding table



Oct. 0, 3 o. A. RAPHAEL 2,656,232

FOLDING TABLE Filed March 11, 1952 Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to furniture, and more particularly to a folding leg construction for tables.

There have been heretofore proposed many tables incorporating a folding leg construction. Such construction permits convenient storage of the tables when not in use, as well as facilitating the transportation thereof from one location to another. Nearly all of the existing tables of this type, however, have been criticized for one reason or another. Thus, certain of these folding tables have been criticized as lacking rigidity when set up for use. Others, while satisfactory regarding stability, have proved to be so cumbersome as to preclude easy portability, especially by a woman. Still others have proved to be of such a complicated and intricat nature as to be quite susceptible to damage. Other of these heretofore-proposed tables have proved unsatisfactory because of the difiiculty experienced in erecting them, particularly after they have been in use for some time.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide a novel folding table which will not be subject to the above-enumerated disadvantages.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a folding table which will be perfectly stable when its legs are distended, yet wherein these legs may be folded into parallelism with the table top so as to make the table into a compact unit adapted for convenient storage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding table which is of light, yet strong and durable construction whereby it may be easily transported and will permit many years of service.

A further object of this invention is to provide a folding table which will have a neat and attractive appearance both in a folded position and when its legs are distended for service.

It is another object of this invention to provide a folding table which is simple of construction and which may be inexpensively manufactured whereby it may be sold at a moderate price.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a folding table wherein all of the legs may be folded or unfolded in unison solely by exerting force upon a single leg.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view taken from a point located lo an to o e de of a folding table embodying the present invention at such time as the table legs are in a distended position; Figure 2 is a similar view showing the legs in a folded position; the dotted lines showing the legs in a partially folded position; and,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a detail of construction of the folding table of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figures 1 and 2, a folding table embodying the present invention. This table comprises generally a base element or top ID from which depend a first pair of legs 12 and a second pair of legs M, which legs may be folded from their distended position of Figure 1 into the folded position of Figure 2. These legs are connected to the under side of the top ID by means of first and second brackets 16 and I8, respectively; a flexible rod 20 supported by said brackets; and first and second sleeves 22 and 24, respectively, which sleeves are each slidably affixed to the rod 20 for longitudinal movement therealong. A pair of guide members 26 and 28 also constitute a part of the means connecting these legs to the top.

More particularly, the table top [0 is seen to consist of a cover 30 from which depend side walls 32. The rod 20 is carried below the cover 30 by means of the brackets 16 and I8. For reasons to be set forth hereinafter, it is essential that the rod 20 be free to move vertically relative to the top l0, hence the opposite ends of this rod are shown disposed within slots 34 and 36 formed in the end walls 38 and 40, respectively, of the brackets l6 and I8. These brackets I5 and I8 may conveniently include mounting flanges 42 and 44, respectively, wherein may be formed bores for receiving anchor screws 45. It should be noted that the bracket l8 includes side walls 46 wherein are formed a pair of aligned locking recesses 41.

Each of the sleeves 22 and 24 is disposed with its axis normal to the rod 20 and is slidably affixed thereto for longitudinal movement therealong. To this end, the walls of each sleeve will preferably be formed with aligned bores 49 of slightly greater diameter than that of the rods 20 whereby this rod may be slidably received by these bores. The upper ends of each of the legs l2 are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the sleeve 22. Thus, each of the legs I2 is shown formed with a horizontal portion 48 insertable within the opposite sides of the sleeve 22. Likewise, the upper ends of each of the legs [4 are shown formed with a horizontal portion 59 insertable within the opposite sides of the sleeve 24, as shown clearly in Figure 3, With respect to this figure, it will be noted that it is not taken 3 from the same angle as Figures 1 and 2, but rather it is rotated somewhat therefrom in order to more clearly show the relationship of the bracket l8, rod 2c and sleeve 24.

The pair of guide members 26 and 28 are shown disposed parallel to the rod 20 and equidistant therefrom. Each guide member includes a vertical side wall 52 and a mounting flange 54 bored to receive mounting screws 55. The side walls 52 are each formed with a groove 55 which preferably slopes downwardly at a small angle. The lower end of each guide member is formed with an inwardly directed flange 51, which flange does not extend as far to the right in the drawings as that end of the groove 56 remote from the bracket It. In this manner this flange 51 defines abutment surfaces 58. The upper portions of each of the legs 42 are formed with projecting pins 59 shown slidably disposed within the grooves 56.

It should be noted that the upper ends of the pair of legs I2 are restrained against relative movement away from each other by virtue of their confinement between the side walls of the guide members 26 and 28. Likewise, the upper ends of the pair of legs M are restrained against such movement by means of a spacer element 65. The intermediate portions of the legs are shown connected by pins 62 whereby they may be pivoted about an axis normal to the rod 26.

When the legs l2 and I l are in their distended' position of Figure l, the weight of the table will tend to urge the upper ends of the legs I? toward the left in the drawings. Such movement will be restrained, however, by virute of the en gagement of the upper ends of these legs with the abutment surface 53 of the guide grooves 26 and 28. At the same time, the weight of the table will tend to urge the upper ends of the legs M to the right in the drawings, which movement is prevented by the engagement of the upper portion 59 of these legs with the right side of the locking recesses 41. It is contemplated that the upper leg portions 55 beheld securely within these locking recesses by virtue of the imposition of a generally upwardly directed force upon the sleeve 26; this force serving to urge the upper leg portions against the top periphery of each locking recess. Such upward force will preferably be provided by the flexible rod 26, which, as indicated in Figure 1, will be bowed downwardly away from its point of contact with the sleeve 22. In view of this arrangement the two pairs of legs will be securely maintained in a distended position until such time as it becomes desirable to move them to a folded position. Additionally, if the proportions and fits of the rod 26, sleeves 22 and 24, upper leg portions 59' and abutment surfaces 58 are properly selected, there will be provided a very rigid table structure.

When the legs are to be moved to a folded position, the upper portions 5c of the legs [4 must be moved out of the locking recesses 4'1. This may be easily accomplished by merely exerting a small amount of force upon the bottom of one of the legs Ill tending to move it to the right in the drawings. This action will cause the upper portions 56 of the legs M to move in a direction parallel to the rod 2i) upwardly and to the left out of the locking recesses; the right end of the rod moving vertically upward within the slot 36 during such withdrawal. Next, the legs 14 will be pivoted about the pins 62 until they are adjacent the other legs 12,. as indicated by the ingly, the two pairs of legs may be moved bodily toward the bracket IS; the two sleeves 22 and 24 sliding along the rod 26. During this latter movement, the projecting pins 59 while sliding within the grooves 56 will serve to guide the upper portion of the legs I2, and inasmuch as these grooves are sloped upwardly, the sleeves 22 and 24 will closely abut the under side of the cover 30 when they complete their movement to the left. Also, the left end of the rod 26 will be free to move vertically within the slot 34 whereby the legs may fit flush against the'underside of the cover 383, as indicated in Figure 2.

Preferably, one or both of the side walls 52 of the guide members 26 and 28 will be formed with a slight protuberance 65. Such protuberance will constitute a detent serving to retain the legs in their folded position. Other suitable restraining means may be provided if desired for this purpose. It will be noted that the side walls 32 of the table top I 6 may be of a depth sufficient to completely encompass the folded legs and their connection means. If this is the case, these side walls will afford protection thereto against accidental damage.

When the legs are to again be moved to a distended position it is only necessary to slide them bodily to the left to the position indicated in the dotted lines of Figure 2 and pivot them upwardly and to the left about the axes of the sleeves. This latter movement may be readily accomplished with but one hand of the operator.

It will be noted that the construction of the legs and their connection means is quite simple and yet of a character which permits of rugged construction. Accordingly, these members may have a long, maintenance-free service life under reasonable conditions of use. Moreover, this construction lends itself readily to inexpensive manufacture whereby it may be sold at a moderate price. In this regard, it should be particularly observed that the leg and sleeve members are adapted for easy assembly without the use of a considerable number of screws or bolts.

It will also be noted that although the above description and the drawings illustrate the present invention as applied to a table, the novel means shown for connecting the legs to the table top may also be utilized with other articles of furniture employing folding legs, such as chairs, benches, cots and the like. Those skilled in the art will realize that other modifications and changes may be made with respect to the disclosed preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A folding table which includes: a top; a bracket depending from the under side of said top, said bracket being formed with a vertical slot and a, locking recess; a rod disposed below said top and substantially parallel thereto with one of its ends in said slot and vertically movable with respect thereto; a sleeve disposed with its I axis normalto said rod and slidably amxed thereaeuaaea to for longitudinal movement therealong; a leg having its upper end pivotally connected to said sleeve, said upper end also being insertable within said locking recess so as to be retained in a distended position, said leg being movable out of said locking recess away from said bracket in a direction parallel to said rod from a distended position to a folded position against the under side of said top, the end of said rod being vertically movable within said slot as said leg is withdrawn from said locking recess.

2. A folding table which includes: a top; a bracket depending from the under side of said top, said bracket being formed with a vertical slot and a locking recess; a rod disposed below said top and substantially parallel thereto with one of its ends in said slot and vertically movable with respect thereto; a sleeve disposed with its axis normal to said rod and slidably afiixed thereto for longitudinal movement therealong; a leg having its upper end disposable within said locking recess so as to be retained in a distended position, the upper end of saidleg also being inserted into one side of said sleeve for pivotal movement relative thereto whereby said leg may be moved out of said locking recess away from said bracket in a direction parallel to said rod from a distended position to a folded position against the under side of said top, the end of said rod being vertically movable within said slot as said leg is withdrawn from said locking recess.

3. A folding table which includes: a top; a first bracket depending from the under side of said top and formed with a vertical slot; a second bracket depending from the under side of said top, said second bracket being formed with a vertical slot and with a pair of locking recesses; a rod having its opposite ends slidably disposed within said slots for vertical movement with respect thereto; a first sleeve having its axis normal to said rod and slidably affixed to said rod for longitudinal movement therealong; a first pair of legs, each leg being pivotally connected at its upper end to opposite sides of said first sleeve; a second sleeve having its axis normal to said rod and slidably affixed to said rod for longitudinal movement therealong; a second pair of legs, the upper end of each leg being insertable within one of said locking recesses so as to be retained in a distended position, the upper end of each leg also being pivotally secured to opposite sides of said second sleeve; abutment means depending from the under side of said top for restraining said first pair of legs against movement from a distended position until said second pair of legs have been moved from a locked position; and means interconnecting the intermediate portion of said legs whereby said legs may be pivoted toward said first bracket about an axis normal to said rod from a distended position to a folded position against the under side of said top, said rod being vertically movable within said slot during such movement of said legs.

4. A folding table which includes: a top; a first bracket depending from the under side of said top and formed with a vertical slot; a second bracket depending from the under side of said top, said second bracket being formed with a vertical slot and with a pair of locking recesses; a rod having its opposite ends slidably disposed within said slots for vertical movement with respect thereto; a first sleeve having its axis normal to said rod and slidably aifixed to said rod for longitudinal movement therealong; a first pair of legs, each leg being pivotally connected at its upper end to 6 opposite sides of said first sleeve; a second sleeve having its axis normal to said rod and slidably affixed to said rod for longitudinal movement therealong; a second pair of legs, the upper end of each leg being insertable within one of said locking recesses so as to be retained in a distended position, the upper end of each leg also being pivotally secured to opposite sides of said second sleeve; a pair of guide members depending from the under side of said top and disposed parallel to said rod, said guide members each having a sliding engagement with the upper ends of said first legs and also being formed with abutment means for restraining the upper portions of said first pair of legs against movement from a distended position until said second pair of legs have been moved from a locked position; and means interconnecting the intermediate portion of said legs whereby said legs may be pivoted toward said first bracket about an axis normal to said rod from a distended position to a folded position against the under side of said top, said rod being vertically movable within said slot during such movement of said legs.

5. A folding table which includes: a top; a first bracket depending from the under side of said top and formed with a vertical slot; a second bracket depending from the under side of said top, said second bracket being formed with a vertical slot and with a pair of locking recesses; a rod having its opposite ends slidably disposed within said slots for vertical movement with respect thereto; a first sleeve having its axis normal to said rod and slidably afiixed to said rod for longitudinal movement therealong; a first pair of legs, each leg being pivotally connected at its upper end to opposite sides of said first sleeve; a second sleeve having its axis normal to said rod and slidably aflixed to said rod for longitudinal movement therealong; a second pair of legs, the upper end of each leg being insertable within one of said locking recesses so as to be retained in a distended position, the upper end of each leg also being inserted into opposite sides of said second sleeve for pivotal movement relative thereto; a pair of guide members depending from the under side of said top, the side walls of each said guide member being formed with a groove which slopes upwardly at a small angle toward said first bracket, said guide members also having an abutment formed adjacent the end of said grooves remote from said first bracket; a projection element carried by the upper ends of each of said first pair of legs, said projection elements being slidably disposed within said grooves; and pins connecting the intermediate portions of said legs whereby said legs may be pivoted toward said first bracket about an axis normal to said rod from a distended position to a folded position against the under side of said top, the ends of said rod being vertically movable within said slots during such movement of said legs and said abutment being so positioned relative to said brackets that movement of said first pair of legs from a distended position may not occur until said second pair of legs have been moved a predetermined distance away from said second bracket.

6. An article of furniture having foldable legs, which includes: a base member; a bracket depending from the under side of said base member and having an end wall formed with a vertical slot, said bracket also having a side wall formed with a locking recess; a rod disposed below said base member and substantially parallel thereto, said rod being positioned normally to aeseesa said end wall with one or its; ends r ied w th n aid 51 1 for vertical movement relative.v there-v end pivotally connected to said sleeve and selec-.

tively disposable within said recess so as to be retained in a distended position, said leg being movable in a direction parallel to said rod out of said distended position, into a folded position against. the under side of said basemember upon first being urged in a direction upwardly and away from said bracket out of said locking recess, the end of said rod moving vertically upward within said slot as said leg is urged out of said recess. I

7., An article of furniture having foldable legs, which includes: a, base member; a bracket depending from, the under side of said base member and having an end wall formed with a vertical slot, said bracket also having a side wall formed with a locking recess; a rod disposed below said base member and substantially parallel thereto, said rod being positioned lQrmally to said end wall with one of its ends carried within said slot fer' vertical movement relative thereto; a sleeve disposed with its axis normal to said rod and or ed. w th: l n d, ores. w e by t, e y. atfixed to said rod fer longitudinal movement thereal'ong; a leg haying its-upper and bent parallel to the end wall of said bracket whereby it; may be pivotally received by one end of said sleeve, said upper end also being selectively disposable within said recess so as to be retained in a distended position, said leg being movable in a direction parallel to, said rod out; ofsaid distended position into a, folded position against the under side of said base, member upon first being urgedin a direction upwardly and away from said bracket out of said locking recess, the end of said rod moving vertically upward within said slot as said leg is urged out of said recess,

OILILVIUS A. RAPHAEL.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 136,357 Belford Mar. 4, 1873 628,712 Hoshour July 11, 1899,

1,895,290 Lobel Jan. 24, 1933 1,994,364 King Mar. 12, 1935 2,540,875 Genge Feb. 6, 1951 

